A surgical fastening instrument includes an elongate shaft extending from a handle. An end effector is coupled to one end of the elongate shaft. The end effector has a first jaw with retainer strips disposed thereon. Each retainer strip includes rows of receptacles and each receptacle has a passageway leading to a chamber formed in the first jaw. The end effector also includes a second jaw with fastener strips disposed thereon. The first jaw is pivotally coupled to the second jaw. Each fastener strip includes rows of fasteners and each fastener is slidably positioned on a lance extending from a surface of the second jaw. The lances are aligned with the receptacles and each fastener has barbs configured to be retained in one of the chambers.

In general, devices, systems, and methods for control of one visualization with another are provided.

A buttress device includes an applicator assembly including an applicator body, the applicator body being flexible, and a release liner, the release liner comprising a sacrificial tab. The release liner is coupled to the applicator body. The buttress device includes a buttress positioned on the applicator body, and a buttress fastener, the buttress fastener configured to couple the buttress to an end effector. The buttress fastener is configured to be releasably fastened to the release liner. The buttress device has a first configuration in which the buttress is coupled to the applicator assembly, and a second configuration in which the buttress is uncoupled from the applicator assembly, wherein the sacrificial tab is removed from the applicator assembly in the second configuration.

A staple cartridge for use with a stapling device that has an actuator that is selectively actuatable in an axial direction and an anvil portion that is selectively movable between open and closed positions is disclosed. Various embodiments of the present invention include a cartridge body that movably supports first and second staple drivers. The staple drivers each support a staple thereon and serve to drive the staples into forming contact with the anvil upon actuation by the actuator. The various embodiments of the present invention enable the final formed heights of the staples to be varied so as to apply various clamping forces and pressures to soft tissue captured within the staples. In at least one embodiment, the staples can include crowns formed thereon which can be utilized to adjust or control the clamping force and/or pressure applied by the staples.

An anvil assembly includes a circular anvil head that supports a crush ring, an anvil cap that supports an o-ring, and a circular anvil buttress member. The cap connects to the head and is movable relative to the head between approximated and unapproximated positions. The crush ring is spaced from the cap when the cap is in the approximated position and movable into engagement with the cap to move the cap to the unapproximated position. The buttress member includes a body portion and an extension portion. The body portion is supported on the head and the extension portion is secureable between the o-ring and the head when the cap is in the approximated position. The extension portion is releasable from between the o-ring and the head when the cap is disposed in the unapproximated position so that the body portion separates from the head.

A surgical stapling device includes a tool assembly having an anvil assembly having a staple forming surface, a cartridge assembly having a tissue contact surface, and extrusion resistant structure. The extrusion resistant structure is positioned on only one of the staple forming surface of the anvil assembly or the tissue contact surface of the cartridge assembly to reduce the amount of tissue extrusion that occurs when the tool assembly is moved from an open position to a clamped position.

A buttress device includes an applicator assembly including an applicator body, the applicator body being flexible, and a release liner. The release liner is coupled to the applicator body. The buttress device includes a buttress positioned on the applicator body, and a buttress fastener, the buttress fastener configured to couple the buttress to an end effector. The buttress fastener is configured to be releasably fastened to the release liner. The buttress device has a first configuration in which the buttress is coupled to the applicator assembly, and a second configuration in which the buttress is uncoupled from the applicator assembly, wherein the sacrificial tab is removed from the applicator assembly in the second configuration.

Stapling assemblies for use with a surgical stapler are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, the stapling assembly includes a cartridge having a plurality of staples disposed therein and a non-fibrous adjunct formed of at least one fused bioabsorbable polymer and configured to be releasably retained on the cartridge. Adjunct systems for use with a surgical stapler are also provided. Surgical end effectors using the stapling assemblies are also provided. Methods for manufacturing stapling assemblies and using the same are also provided.

The present invention aims to provide a staple reinforcement for a surgical stapler that can be used in surgical staplers of various sizes, is easily passed through ports, and is less likely to shift during operation of the surgical stapler. Provided is a staple reinforcement for a surgical stapler, including a fabric layer containing a bioabsorbable material and a sponge layer containing a water-soluble polymer, the fabric layer and the sponge layer being integrally laminated.

A loading unit includes a staple cartridge assembly, an anvil assembly, and an anvil buttress. The anvil assembly includes an anvil plate including a tissue facing surface having apertures defined therethrough and an anvil cover disposed over an outwardly facing surface of the anvil plate. The anvil buttress includes a body portion positioned against the tissue facing surface of the anvil plate and arms extending into the apertures of the anvil plate. The arms releasably secure the anvil buttress to the anvil plate.